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Part-Time Studies 

Although part-time enrolment is permitted under your study permit (i.e., you are still considered to be "actively pursuing studies" if enrolled part-time), it can impact your:

• Ability to work on or off campus, and
• Eligibility for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), with the exception of part-time studies in the final term.

Please read below for different considerations based on your individual circumstances. Contact an鈥�International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist鈥痺ell in advance if you have questions about the immigration implications of enrolling part-time during your studies.

Undergraduate Students

As an international student, you鈥檙e encouraged to maintain full-time enrolment. You do not need permission from SFU to study part-time.

Graduate Students

For 51社区黑料graduate students, the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms are all considered academic sessions for immigration purposes. If you are a graduate student, you must maintain continuous full-time enrolment in every term (Fall, Spring and Summer) unless you have been granted a leave of absence or your program has an Academic Break. 

If you plan to study part-time:

• You are not eligible to work on or off campus.*
• Your  may be impacted.
• You may still be considered actively pursuing studies, provided that you remain enrolled and make reasonable and timely progress towards your program.

*For more details, refer to the Part-time enrolment in the final academic term section.

1. Part-time enrolment in the final academic term
2. Previous part-time enrolment in an academic term
3. Previous part-time enrolment in the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 term
4. Part-time status after dropping/withdrawing from a course
5. Other considerations

Part-time enrolment in the final academic term

International students (graduate and undergraduate) can study part-time during their final term without negatively impacting their study permit conditions. Please see below for the impacts on Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) and work eligibility, as these may vary. 

PGWP

You may study part-time during your final term and still meet the IRCC  if you maintained full-time enrolment in all other required academic terms of your program:

• For undergraduate students: Fall and Spring term.
• For graduate students: All terms, unless approved for a leave of absence or academic term break.

Work Eligibility 

You may be able to continue to work on or off campus in your final term if you meet all the IRCC  or , except the requirement to be a full-time student, and

• You're only studying part-time because:
  • you're in the last term of your study program and you don't need a full course load to complete your program, and
  • you were a full-time student in each academic term, up until your last term.

Important: If you previously enrolled part-time in an academic term and will be studying part-time again in your final term, you do not meet the IRCC eligibility requirements to work on or off campus noted above. See鈥�Working On Campus鈥痑苍诲鈥�Working Off Campus鈥痜or details.

Previous part-time enrolment in an academic term

You can enroll in part-time studies and still meet your study permit conditions, as long as you continue to鈥�actively pursue your studies.

However, if you were previously enrolled part-time in an academic term(s), it may impact your eligibility for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) unless you meet one of the exceptions. 

Recommended Steps: 

1. Write a Letter of Explanation (LOE) to explain why you studied part-time. You can use our Letter of Explanation  Guide for templates and tips.
2. Gather supporting documents (e.g., confirmation of enrolment letter, unofficial transcript, any personal documentation that supports your reason/s for studying part-time) as applicable.
3. Combine all documents into one file and upload them under 鈥淐lient Information鈥� in your IRCC secure account when you submit your PGWP application.

Important: The final decision will be made at the discretion of the immigration officer processing your application. 

Please refer to our Next Steps After Graduation page for a complete list of documents required for your PGWP application.

Previous part-time enrolment in the Spring 2020 or Summer 2020 term

If you were unable to maintain full-time enrolment (e.g., you dropped to part-time studies or took the term off)鈥�, it should not negatively impact your PGWP, provided you meet IRCC鈥檚 policy exceptions. 

To support your application: 

1. Write a鈥� Letter of Explanation  to the immigration officer explaining why you could not maintain full-time enrolment in these terms.
2. Include SFU鈥檚 announcement to academic policies and procedures for the Spring and Summer 2020 terms (e.g.鈥痠n-person instruction cancelled for the Spring 2020 term, the extended withdrawal period for the Spring term), and any other relevant correspondence you received from SFU.
3. Include a copy of IRCC鈥檚鈥�鈥痳eferencing the flexibility on full-time enrolment requirements for Spring 2020 and Summer 2020 due to COVID-19 (scroll down to the heading "Part-time status")

Please refer to our Next Steps After Graduation page for a complete list of documents required for your PGWP application.

Part-time status after dropping/withdrawing from a course

If you are planning to withdraw from a course, consider the immigration impacts prior to making your decision.  

Before Withdrawing 

• Download a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and unofficial transcript from .
• Review important term dates and deadlines for course withdrawal and refunds. 
  • Undergraduate dates and deadlines.
  • Graduate dates and deadlines.

  It鈥檚 recommended to download a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) and unofficial transcript from goSFU prior to withdrawing from a course or applying for a withdrawal under extenuating circumstances (WE). These documents, in addition to a letter of explanation written by you and any personal supporting documents, may be helpful for future immigration applications.

  If Your Status Changes to Part-Time After Withdrawal:

  If you withdraw from a course (WD) during the term and your enrolment status changes from full-time to part-time, as a study permit holder:

  • You must immediately stop working on or off campus as you no longer meet the eligibility requirements under 
  • Your PGWP eligibility may be impacted.

  Withdrawal Under Extenuating Circumstances (WE)

  If you wish to withdraw from your course(s) after the withdrawal deadline for the term, or after the term has ended due to extenuating circumstances, you may apply for a withdrawal under extenuating circumstances(WE). 

  If you are considering a WE application, please review the webpage linked above and consult with a Student Services Academic Advisor or your department advisor for more information on the process, and important dates in the academic calendar regarding withdrawals. You may also wish to seek advice from a Student Advocacy Coordinator, or the Ombudsperson.

  Please contact an鈥�International Student Advisor, Immigration Specialist to discuss any immigration considerations.